It is important for all those Bahá'ís
who are engaged in the academic study of the Bahá'í Faith to address the
theoretical problems which undoubtedly exist, while refusing to be distracted
by insidious and unscholarly attacks and calumnies which may periodically be
injected into their discussions by the ill-intentioned. Discussion with those
who sincerely raise problematic issues, whether they be Bahá'ís or not, and
whether -- if the latter -- they disagree with Bahá'í teachings, can be
beneficial and enlightening. However, to continue dialogue with those who have
shown a fixed antagonism to the Faith, and have demonstrated their
imperviousness to any ideas other than their own, is usually fruitless and, for
the Bahá'ís who take part, can be burdensome and even spiritually corrosive.
(From a letter dated 8 February 1998 written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual believer)
